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📸 How to Screenshot on Mac: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Taking a screenshot on a Mac can feel tricky if you’re new to Apple devices, but don’t worry—it’s much simpler than you think. Whether you want to capture your full screen, a specific window, or just part of your display, macOS gives you several easy options.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to screenshot on Mac step by step, with shortcuts, tools, and tips that will make you a screenshot pro in no time.
⌨️ Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Instant Screenshots
The fastest way to take a screenshot on a Mac is by using built-in keyboard shortcuts.
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Full screen: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 to capture your entire screen. The screenshot will save automatically to your desktop.
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Selected portion: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then drag your cursor to select the area you want to capture.
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Specific window: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 + Spacebar, then click the window you want.
👉 This method is perfect for quick screenshots and is one of the most popular ways to screenshot on Mac.
🖥️ Use the Screenshot Toolbar in macOS
If remembering shortcuts feels overwhelming, you’ll love the built-in Screenshot Toolbar.
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Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 to open it.
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You’ll see options to capture the full screen, a selected window, or a portion of the screen.
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The toolbar also lets you record your screen, making it handy for tutorials or work demos.
👉 This tool gives you more flexibility and is especially useful for users who prefer a visual interface.
📝 Save Screenshots to Clipboard Instead of Desktop
By default, Mac screenshots save to the desktop, but you can change that on the fly:
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Hold down Control along with your screenshot shortcut (for example, Command + Shift + Control + 3) and the image will copy to your clipboard.
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Then, simply paste it into an app like Word, Pages, or an email.
👉 This is ideal if you don’t want your desktop cluttered with dozens of screenshot files.
📂 Change the Default Save Location of Screenshots
If your desktop is always full, you can tell your Mac where to save screenshots.
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Open the Screenshot Toolbar with Command + Shift + 5.
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Click Options and select a new save location such as Documents, Downloads, or even a custom folder.
👉 Customising this helps keep your workspace tidy and makes finding screenshots much easier.
✏️ Edit and Annotate Screenshots Quickly
Every time you take a screenshot on Mac, a small preview pops up in the bottom-right corner. If you click it, you’ll enter Markup mode, where you can:
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Draw shapes or arrows.
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Add text or notes.
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Crop or resize the image.
👉 This feature is great for work presentations, study notes, or simply pointing out something to a friend.
🎥 Record Your Screen Instead of Just a Screenshot
Sometimes a screenshot isn’t enough, and you need a screen recording. Luckily, the same tool helps with that.
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Use Command + Shift + 5 to open the toolbar.
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Select either “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion.”
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Stop recording with the menu bar button when you’re done.
👉 This is incredibly useful for tutorials, tech support, or even gameplay recordings.
⏱️ Use Preview App for Extra Screenshot Options
Many people don’t realise that the Preview app on Mac can also take screenshots.
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Open Preview > Go to File > Take Screenshot.
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Choose between capturing the entire screen, a window, or a selection.
👉 This method is helpful if you prefer working through menus rather than shortcuts.
🖱️ Use Third-Party Screenshot Apps for More Features
If you want advanced options such as scrolling captures, cloud storage, or GIF creation, you can explore apps like:
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Snagit – Professional screenshot and editing tool.
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CleanShot X – Known for its sleek interface and annotation tools.
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Lightshot – Simple and free, great for basic needs.
👉 These apps expand your screenshot capabilities beyond what macOS provides by default.
✅ Final Thoughts
Learning how to screenshot on Mac is easy once you know the shortcuts and tools available. Whether you prefer quick keyboard commands, the Screenshot Toolbar, or third-party apps, you’ll always have a method that suits your needs.
From full-screen captures to annotated images and even video recordings, macOS makes screenshotting flexible and efficient. With these tips, you’ll never struggle to capture what’s on your screen again.
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